“Madurai unit dissolution will not hit DMK’s chances”

Party elections will be held soon, says DMK leader

The dissolution of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (DMK) Madurai urban district unit by the high command would not in any way affect the party in the Lok Sabha elections, according to G. Thalapathi, who was the secretary of the unit until it was dissolved on Saturday.

A known supporter of DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin, Mr. Thalapathi has been appointed by the party high command as the head of the six-member committee for electing new office-bearers for the urban district unit. “The intra-party elections will be held very soon and the office-bearers will be elected much before the Lok Sabha elections,” he said.

Arguing in favour of the decision taken to dissolve the unit, he said: “Only then, the cadre will work eagerly during Parliamentary elections. Such a measure is also necessary to keep the cadre under control. They cannot but abide by decisions taken by the high command.”

Asked whether the disbanding was fallout of controversial posters put up by M.K. Alagiri’s supporters stating that the party’s general council meet would be held in Chennai on his birthday on January 30, he said: “Partymen should be careful in the usage of words in posters.”

On the other hand, a close aide of Mr. Alagiri said that the dissolution had been orchestrated by supporters of M.K. Stalin. He claimed that the six-member committee itself had four supporters — G. Thalapathi, V. Veluchamy, P. Kulandaivelu and M. Jayaram — of Mr. Stalin.

“Only two members, P. Packianathan and C. Chinnammal, are from our camp. Nevertheless, we are ready to face the intra-party elections because none other than the supporters of ‘Anja Nenjan’ (Mr. Alagiri’s nick name meaning brave heart) can emerge victorious in Madurai,” he said.

Asked if they tried to explain their position to the high command, he said: “Generally, the party should have sought an explanation before taking such a major decision to dissolve a district unit. But, neither did the people in the helm of affairs seek an explanation nor did we offer it.”

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